The pressures of daily life are bound to bring us some amount of stress – but did you know that stress can affect our young ones, too? When a child or teen experiences stress, the results can create lasting damage and injure their ability to develop into a healthy, well-adjusted person. As parents, understanding the dangers of stress for young people is paramount to their well-being and ability to navigate the realities of life.

Topics: Stress

Mother’s Day may be behind us – but there are so many more reasons to continue celebrating women this month. May is also Women’s Health Month and Maternal Mental Health Month. Join Maryvale in sending love to all of the amazing mamas and girls in our community as we work to raise awareness about key women’s health issues and to support women and girls in living happy, healthy, positive lives. Maternal Mental Health Month, observed globally in May, shines a spotlight on the mental well-being of...

Topics: Women's Health Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month – what better time to shed light on the importance of mental well-being, break stigmas, and foster a culture of compassion and support?! This annual observance reminds us of the intricate tapestry of emotions, struggles, and triumphs that define our mental health journeys. Mental health disorders affect millions of Americans of all ages. As an agency that approaches education and mental health services for children and their families, this is a particularly...

Topics: mental health awareness month

Adolescence is not an easy time. Today’s teens are forced to contend with academic pressures, social media scrutiny, and personal uncertainties. Fostering a healthy sense of self-worth is more crucial than ever. At Maryvale, we believe that confidence and self-esteem are the keys to unlocking resilience and life skills for teenagers and that without positive self-regard, teens face significant mental health risks.

Topics: self-esteem

Whether or not you are a proponent of social media in your household, it is bound to play a significant role in the lives of your children and teenagers. A report by Pew Research Center found that 81% of teens aged 13-17 in the United States use social media, with 71% using more than one platform. The average age at which children in the United States get their first smartphone is around 10.3 years old. Despite this, almost 70% of parents are concerned about the impact of social media on their...

Topics: Kids and Social Media

Mental healthcare is a critical component of well-being, yet minority communities often face unique challenges and disparities in accessing quality mental health services. Historically oppressed communities face barriers to career advancement, social services, and essential healthcare. This issue is compounded by the latent stress many Black, Latino, Indigenous, and other underrepresented groups carry as a result of systemic racism. In honor of Minority Mental Health Month, we recognize the...

Do you remember your first sip of alcohol? No matter how you relate to drinking, it plays a significant role in young peoples’ social identities. As part of Alcohol Awareness Month, we see this as a pivotal time to have open and honest conversations about alcohol, particularly with teenagers. For parents, discussing alcohol with their teens can feel daunting, but it’s a crucial step in promoting responsible decision-making and fostering a healthy relationship with alcohol. There are several...

Topics: Alcohol Awarness Month

April is a special time dedicated to celebrating and supporting children on the autism spectrum, as it marks Autism Awareness Month. This month-long observance is a chance for communities to come together, raise awareness, promote understanding, and show appreciation for the unique strengths and talents of children with autism spectrum disorder. There is no end to the ways communities can focus on children during Autism Awareness Month and create inclusive and supportive environments for them.

For decades, educators, parents, community groups, and government agencies have viewed drug and alcohol awareness as a priority for young people. Today, drug and alcohol use continues to loom large – and the stakes are higher than ever, with overdose rates at an all-time high. As guardians of their well-being, it’s imperative to equip young individuals with essential awareness about the risks associated with substance use. The team at Maryvale believes that drug and alcohol awareness is vital...

Topics: substance abuse

In the formative years of early childhood, from birth to five years old, children’s minds are like sponges, eagerly soaking up new information from their surroundings. In addition to learning how to make decisions and function socioemotionally, children begin to evaluate complex situations and lay the cognitive groundwork for early childhood education during their early development.  

Topics: Early Education